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Rafa Benitez 'agrees' two-year contract to become Napoli coach

Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis has claimed that Rafa Benitez has agreed a two-year deal to be the new coach.

By Nadia Carminati

Last Updated: 24/05/13 7:50pm

Rafa Benitez: Interim Chelsea manager agrees to become the new Napoli coach

Walter Mazzarri revealed last weekend that he is leaving Napoli this summer and he is widely expected to take charge at Inter Milan.

A string of names, including Roberto Mancini, Manuel Pellegrini and Jurgen Klopp, had been linked with the position at Napoli.

However, De Laurentiis has been in London to discuss a deal and he expects current interim Chelsea manager Benitez to sign a contract until 2015.

"I've given myself a gift for my 64th birthday," De Laurentiis told Sky Sport Italia. "Benitez will be the next Napoli coach.

"I'll make it official in the next few days as Benitez needs to end things with Chelsea. He'll have a two-year contract, no longer.

"We need to get to know each other first, then we'll see."

Benitez has been at Chelsea since November after replacing the sacked Roberto Di Matteo and he has led the club to Europa League final success and qualification for next season's UEFA Champions League.

He has previous experience of coaching in Serie A after being appointed Inter Milan boss in the summer of 2010 after leaving Liverpool.

The 53-year-old won the Club World Cup with Inter, but was sacked just a few days later after barely half a season at the San Siro helm.

The Spaniard will be taking over a Napoli side that finished second in Serie A this season, nine points adrift of champions Juventus.